Sat May 10 14:22:01 UTC 2025: ## India Surpasses Global Averages in Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality

**NEW DELHI, May 10, 2025** – India has significantly exceeded global progress in reducing maternal and child mortality rates, according to the Sample Registration System Report 2021 and the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group Report 2000-2023. Several states have already met UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets for Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR), and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR).

Three states – Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu – achieved the SDG targets for all three indicators. Eight states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Karnataka, have already met the MMR SDG target (<=70 by 2030). Twelve states/union territories have reached the U5MR target (<=25 by 2030), and six have met the NMR target (<=12 by 2030).

India's MMR has dropped by 37 points from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16 to 93 in 2019-21, a decline of 23 points between 2020 and 2023. This represents an 86% reduction compared to the global average of 48% over the past 33 years. Similarly, India has achieved a 78% reduction in U5MR (surpassing the global 61% reduction), a 70% decline in NMR (compared to 54% globally), and a 71% decrease in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) (compared to 58% globally) since 1990.

The Union Health Ministry attributes this success to reinforced health data systems, real-time surveillance through digital platforms, focused interventions ensuring free institutional deliveries, and improved clinical practices. The ministry highlights initiatives providing free institutional delivery, including caesarean sections, transport, medication, diagnostics, and nutritional support.

The report also notes an improved Sex Ratio at Birth (from 899 in 2014 to 913 in 2021) and a consistent Total Fertility Rate of 2.0 in 2021. The ministry emphasizes that these achievements demonstrate India's commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes and exceeding global benchmarks.

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